1. Ferry and ro-pax collision at Piraeus
Ferry STAVROS collided with ro-pax EUROPEAN STAR at Piraeus in Keratsini on Apr 5, understood ferry was maneuvering, while EUROPEAN STAR wasnât under way, sheâs in a lay-up, according to available data. Both ships reportedly sustained damages, both ships remained at port and were still in port in the morning Apr 6. http://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/04/06/ferry-and-ro-pax-collision-at-piraeus/
2. Liners brace for worst case scenario: $23.4bn combined full year losses
The latest Sunday Spotlight report from container advisory Sea-Intelligence paints a dark picture of the scale of losses the worldâs top liners could suffer this year thanks to the spread of coronavirus. As of yesterday, carriers had cancelled 212 sailings due to the pandemic â up from a mere two sailings only two weeks ago.
The actual number is likely to be higher as Sea-Intelligence does not have a detailed overview of blank sailings for smaller intra-regional services. https://splash247.com/liners-brace-for-worst-case-scenario-23-4bn-combined-full-year-losses/
3. Diego Aponte: âCovid-19 has created a public health issue unprecedented in our lifetimesâ
In a rare statement, Diego Aponte, group president and CEO of privately held Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has issued an open letter today, outlining what his company, the worldâs second largest boxline, is doing to carry on business during the coronavirus.
âThe spread of Covid-19 has created a public health issue unprecedented in our lifetimes, triggering an unexpected shock for societies and economies,â the letter from Aponte starts. https://splash247.com/diego-aponte-covid-19-has-created-a-public-health-issue-unprecedented-in-our-lifetimes/
4. Japan bans Filipino seafarers from entering the country
Crew changes and ship deliveries in Japan just got a whole lot more challenging with the government issuing extraordinary travel bans on Friday covering 73 nations, including the Philippines. Filipinos make up close to three quarters of all crew on the Japanese merchant fleet, the worldâs third largest shipowning nation. https://splash247.com/japan-bans-filipino-seafarers-from-entering-the-country/
5. Launch of emergency funding campaign for developing world seafarers
While much of the shipping industry take their responsibilities to their seafarers very seriously, there is still a real challenge facing many seafarers from the poorer regions of the world. Many are in lockdown with casual contracts and unable to work; others are facing difficulties due to lockdowns when they leave ships and are unable to return to their families with costs and little income coming in; and there are even some reports of seafarers being shunned on their return to their homes for fears of the virus. There is also the issue of their families not having income in order to get by and the situation is likely to get far worse before it gets better. https://splash247.com/launch-of-emergency-funding-campaign-for-developing-world-seafarers/
6. UAE makes crew change concessions
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is easing its crew change restrictions, much to the relief of thousands of seafarers across the world. In a circular, the UAEâs Federal Transport Authority said the first stage of the lifting of restrictions would be aimed at seafarers with a resident visa, crew on laid up passenger ships, crew with medical issues and for those who need to leave on compassionate grounds. https://splash247.com/uae-makes-crew-change-concessions/
7. India: Container Carriers Skip JNPT, Mundra Port As Exports Dry Up
Global container shipping lines such as Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, CMA CGM SA, Hapag-Lloyd AG and COSCO Shipping Lines have started skipping Indiaâs top container gateways: Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Mundra port.
The shipping industry sees this as a clear indication that the problems in clearing import containers from the two ports and nearby container freight stations (CFS), and the lack of exports due to factory closures in the wake of the lockdown, have started to disrupt export-import (EXIM) trade and carrier schedules. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/India%3A+Container+carriers+skip+JNPT%2C+Mundra+Port+as+exports+dry+up+
8. Americas LR1, MR Rates Diverge On European Storage Demand, Bearish USGC
A global shortage of larger Long Range 1 and 2 tankers due to high floating storage demand in Asia and Europe for clean petroleum products has pushed LR1 freight out of the US Gulf Coast to sky-high levels despite a slow trickle of demand for the tankers and for floating storage in the region. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Americas+LR1%2C+MR+rates+diverge+on+European+storage+demand%2C+bearish+USGC
9. New Bunker Alert Service Available For BIMCO Members
Bunker fuel is a key element in the running of ships, and problems related to bunkers can massively impact daily operations. Information about bunker quality issues is of high value and BIMCO has therefore entered into a new cooperation with Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) who publishes regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/New+Bunker+Alert+Service+Available+For+BIMCO+Members
10. Economic Pain, Supply Chain Chaos From Coronavirus To Get Worse In Coming Quarters
CHINA’s ports and shipping firms are gearing up for a second round of supply chain disruptions as the spread of the coronavirus pandemic globally strangles off international demand. With Beijing reporting only sporadic domestic transmission of the coronavirus since March, workers have been allowed to return to posts, factories are restarting and ports are rushing to clear a backlog of cargoes. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Economic+pain%2C+supply+chain+chaos+from+coronavirus+to+get+worse+in+coming+quarters
